Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.31.30
Ūti· What drives us to actRecognize the Ignorance of “I” and “Mine”
“By such ignorance the living entity accepts the material body, which is made of five elements, as himself. With this misunderstanding, he accepts nonpermanent things as his own and increases his ignorance in the darkest region.”
What the purport teaches
- The first ignorance is identifying the material body, made of five elements, as the self.
- The second ignorance is accepting something as one’s own because of its connection with the body. In this way, ignorance expands.
- The living entity is eternal, but accepting temporary things as his true interest brings ignorance and material suffering.
Try this today
Look at one possession and reflect: “This is temporary; the living entity is eternal.”
Ask yourself
Where do I mistake something temporary for my lasting identity or interest?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.